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Demand for condominiums in CBDs bounces back

BUILDINGS at the Makati central business district are seen in this file photo. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN
BUILDINGS at the Makati central business district are seen in this file photo. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

DEMAND for condominiums and commercial properties in central business districts (CBDs) around the country have surged after the government and many companies implemented return-to-office orders, according to online real estate marketplace platform Lamudi.

In a statement, Lamudi said latest data showed that CBD-hosting cities in Metro Manila have recorded stronger demand for commercial property, while residential rental inquiries have also increased.

“In the financial capital of the country, Makati, the P100,000 to P200,000 price range attracted the largest share of leads for commercial properties to rent in Lamudi in Q1 2022. Offices followed by buildings and retail were the most popular commercial subcategories on Lamudi in the same period,” it said.

Lamudi noted demand for residential rentals in Makati City surged with leads jumping around 40% in the first quarter of 2022 from the fourth quarter of 2021.

“Inquiries from property seekers outside of the metro increased during this period, with seekers from Cebu City and Calamba joining Imus and Angeles as part of the top sources of leads for the city,” it added.

Leads for commercial properties in Pasig City also increased in the first quarter, Lamudi said.

“In terms of the most popular price segment for commercial properties for rent, the P100,000 to P200,000 generated the most leads in the first quarter of this year. In the same period, offices overtook warehouses as the most searched subcategory for commercial properties in the city. This coincides with an uptick in inquiries for residential rentals, which shot up by 28% quarter on quarter in Q1 2022,” Lamudi said. 

“The leads for commercial properties in Quezon City had a double-digit increase in percentage from Q4 2021 to Q1 2022, with commercial rental properties priced P100,000 to P200,000 garnering the most leads,” it added.

According to Lamudi, the increase in demand can be attributed to the recent government order for all Philippine Economic Zone Authority-registered information technology-business process outsourcing companies and business enterprises to conduct on-site work starting April 1.

Major Philippine companies have also expressed support for the return-to-office mandate, as they hope the increased business activity will drive economic recovery.

Metro Manila and other areas are now under the most lenient Alert Level 1, as the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections plunged and mobility curbs eased.

However, Lamudi noted commercial and office spaces should adapt to the so-called new normal in order to encourage employees to return to the office. Many workers have become used to work-from-home or hybrid work arrangements that were introduced when the pandemic began in March 2020.

“While (return to the office) offers promising opportunities for real estate players, it also presents challenges, primarily in making commercial spaces appealing to employees who have become used to working from home,” Lamudi CEO Kenneth Stern said.

“It’s essential to have value-adding amenities that promote work-life balance. These include daycare facilities that allow working mothers to bring their children to the workplace, and fitness centers that make it easy for professionals to embrace an active lifestyle,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Moody’s keeps stable outlook for Philippine banking system

BW FILE PHOTO

MOODY’S Investors Service kept its stable outlook for the Philippine banking system as their operating environment is expected to benefit from the reopening of the economy, but soured loans that remain above pre-pandemic levels will continue to pose risks.

Amid better economic conditions, Moody’s said banks’ profitability is seen to improve as loan loss buffers will likely go down.

“Loan-loss provisions as a percentage of gross loans will decrease to an average of about 0.8% in 2022 as asset quality stabilizes. Loan-loss provisions will still remain above pre-pandemic levels as banks continue to set aside provisions to cover lingering asset risks,” Moody’s said in a note on Monday.

Higher transaction volumes that will boost fee income will also be a boon for banks’ income, the debt watcher added.

“Net interest margins will be broadly stable even if interest rates rise because the repricing of loan rates and a gradual recovery in the origination of high-yield retail loans to pre-pandemic levels will offset increases in funding costs,” Moody’s said.

The credit rater expects non-performing loans to continue growing this year, although at a slower pace.

Moody’s said the lifting of regulatory relief measures is unlikely to lead to a sharp deterioration in the asset quality of lenders, as defaults by heavily affected small businesses and retail borrowers were mostly already recognized last year.

“Although conglomerates are a key source of systemic risk because bank loans are heavily concentrated among them, they will remain resilient because their diversified revenue sources will help avert a sharp drop in cash flow,” it said.

High default risk among small businesses affected by the pandemic such as those in the hospitality and retail sectors remain, but Moody’s believes the continued relaxation of mobility restrictions could help ease these.

Latest central bank data showed the banking industry’s bad loan ratio hit a three-month high of 4.24% in February. These borrowings increased by 2.38% to P472.664 billion from a year earlier.

In terms of capital buffers, Moody’s said lenders’ common equity Tier 1 capital ratio is likely to decrease to about 15% in 2022, which is still higher than the required minimum. Banks will likely use their capital to boost loan growth this year, it said.

Moody’s said banks’ funding conditions will be stable as they are largely backed by deposits.

“Loan-to-deposit ratios will rise to pre-pandemic levels as loan growth accelerates along with the economic recovery and deposit growth slows amid tighter liquidity in the system. However, banks will still have sufficient deposits to cover loan growth,” it said.

“Further, we expect the central bank to remain proactive in providing liquidity to the system to prevent any near-term liquidity stress that can result from a sudden change in economic conditions,” the debt watcher added.

Moody’s rates eight commercial banks and one state-led lender in the Philippines, which altogether account for about 82% of the industry’s total assets as of end-2021.

These are BDO Unibank, Inc. (baa2), Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (baa2), Land Bank of the Philippines (ba1), Bank of the Philippine Islands (baa2), Philippine National Bank (ba1), China Banking Corp. (baa3), UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. (baa3), Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (ba1), and Security Bank Corp. (baa3). — L.W.T. Noble

College of St. Benilde collides with winless Jose Rizal Bombers in lone 97th NCAA offering

COLLEGE of St. Benilde Blazers’ Will Gozum (0) — NCAA/GMA

COLLEGE of St. Benilde (CSB) aims to keep its streak going while Jose Rizal University (JRU) fights for dear life as the two collide on Tuesday in the lone offering of the 97th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.

The Blazers downed the Perpetual Help Altas, 83-73, on Saturday for their fourth straight victory and a 4-1 record and could stretch it to five with another win in their 3 p.m. duel with the Bombers, who remained winless in five starts.

It would also keep CSB’s stranglehold of the No. 3 spot and stay dangerously close to pace-setting Letran and San Beda, which are both unscathed in four outings.

While they appeared to be the favorites, neophyte CSB coach Charles Tiu was quick to defunct that notion.

“No team is easy picking, no games are easy. JRU doesn’t look like a winless team to me. I feel they had games when they probably deserved to win or should have won,” said Mr. Tiu.

The Taft-based dribblers are also eyeing to finish in the top two, which would give them not just an automatic Final Four berth but also a twice-to-beat advantage.

If it happens, they will be free from going to the complication of the play-in where the third to sixth placed squads will play each other in knockout showdowns for the right to claim the last two Final Four seats.

Mr. Tiu, however, prefers to take it a game at a time.

“We’ll just try to give it our best every game and we hope the results will follow,” he said.

MVP candidate Will Gozum is expected to lead the way anew for the Blazers along with AJ Benson, Robi Nayve and Miggy Corteza.

For JRU, it would need to sweep its last four games to have a chance at catching the last bus to the play-in. — Joey Villar

New York court dismisses complaint against Bloomberry Resorts

BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp. announced on Monday that the New York court granted its motion to dismiss the complaint filed by Bangladesh Bank against its subsidiary, Bloombery Resorts and Hotels, Inc.

“The New York Court granted Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels’ motion to dismiss the complaint filed by Bangladesh Bank as against Bloomberry for lack of jurisdiction,” the company said in a disclosure.

The Solaire Resort & Casino operator said the decision and order was dated April 8 and was received on April 9.

The dispositive portion stated that the court granted Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels’ motion to dismiss the complaint. The court ordered that the complaint be “dismissed in its entirety as against the defendant, with costs and disbursements to defendant Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels,’ as taxed by the Clerk of the Court, and the Clerk is directed to enter judgment accordingly in favor of defendant.”

The complaint in the state court was for the conversion, theft, misappropriation; aiding and abetting the same; conspiracy to commit the same; fraud; aiding and abetting and conspiracy to commit fraud; conspiracy to commit trespass against chattels; unjust enrichment; and return of money received.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp. is a holding company for hotel and gaming and entertainment business companies.

Through its subsidiaries, the company is the owner and operator of Solaire Resort & Casino. Its other subsidiaries include Sureste Properties, Inc.; Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels, Inc.; Bloomberry Cruise Terminals, Inc.; Solaire Korea Co., Ltd.; and Bloomberry Resorts Japan, Inc.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp. reported that it trimmed its net loss for 2021 to P4.2 billion from a loss of P8.3 billion a year earlier.

Meanwhile, its consolidated net revenue in 2021 was up 24% to P22 billion from P17.8 billion in 2020.

At the stock exchange on Monday, Bloomberry Resorts Corp. shares were up 1.45% or P0.09 to close at P6.31 each. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Michael Buble finds a Higher calling on latest album

AFTER a 20-year career singer Michael Buble found a new focus for his 11th studio album, Higher.

“I was just so excited to, to try things to, to be things to not only to, to go to places where I might have feared to go earlier in my career or my life, but I was excited to rush in to the to the challenge.”

The Canadian singer said he strived to create innovative music.

“When I started, the goal was to make fresh music for an audience who, who had bought my records for 20 years. And I had no idea that by the end… it was fresh for me.”

The 13-track album was released on March 25 by Reprise Records, part of Warner Music Group, and features assists from Paul McCartney and Willie Nelson.

“Having someone like Paul, someone like Willie, take me under their wing and give me their blessing. Wow, hopefully, one day someone will think I’m one of those ducks too.”

Mr. Buble said his family inspired the album’s three original songs.

In 2016 Mr. Buble and his wife, Argentine actress Luisana Lopilato, announced that their oldest son Noah, who was three years old at the time, had been diagnosed with cancer. He has been in remission since 2017.

The music video for the lead single, “I’ll Never Not Love You” was inspired by the singer’s love of cinema and features romantic scenes from popular movies.

The couple used the end of the video as a birth announcement that they are expecting a fourth child.

“For me, it was less about, it was less about the what could come back financially and more about how all I could to tell the story of what I think is the greatest record of my life.” — Reuters

Federal Land to launch 3 new projects

AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE of Federal Land, Inc.’s Quantum Residences along Taft Avenue, Pasay City — BW FILE PHOTO

FEDERAL LAND, Inc. said it is on track to hit this year’s targets as it launches new projects in Marikina, Manila, and the Manila Bay Area.

“We are optimistic that the sector will see a significant rebound this year. This is the reason we remain aggressive in introducing new properties in key areas in the metro. As more people resume their previous routines, we shall provide them with living options that will fit their needs and respond to their demand for a holistic, sustainable lifestyle,” Federal Land Sales Group Head Margarita Saenz-Resurreccion said in a statement.

Federal Land is planning to launch new residential towers in Marikina with Siena Towers, Manila with Quantum Residences, and in the Manila Bay Area with Mi Casa.

“All these developments are strategically located in areas with various commercial and lifestyle choices, with nearby schools, hospitals, and major thoroughfares. They feature a wide range of amenities and access to the outdoor space that allow residents to lead an active, well-balanced life,” Ms. Resurreccion said.

Siena Towers, located along Sumulong Highway in Marikina City, takes inspiration from the rural charm of Siena, Italy.

“It is an ideal option for those looking for an upgraded suburban living and access to modern conveniences at a reasonable price,” Federal Land said.

Federal Land said Quantum Residences, its three-tower mixed use condominium in Taft Avenue, Manila, is seeing robust demand from buyers.

It is also developing Mi Casa, a vertical residence located within the Central Business Park island in the Manila Bay Area in Pasay City.

“Overall, these properties are good investment options for those looking for a place to live, rent out, sell, or unwind,” Ms. Resurreccion said.

Cabaret, Life of Pi triumph at London’s Olivier Awards for theater

Cabaret won seven awards at the Olivier Awards in London. — PHOTO FROM KITKAT.CLUB/CABARET-LONDON/

LONDON —  A critically acclaimed revival of musical Cabaret and a stage adaptation of hit novel Life of Pi were the big winners at the Olivier Awards on Sunday, scooping the top prizes in Britain’s biggest night for theater.

After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the London theater community reunited for a glitzy ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall.

Cabaret had led nominations with 11 nods. It won seven awards, including best musical revival and prizes for actors Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley.

“This is the dream… This was the part that I played when I was a kid at school, it was the thing that got my passion for theater really fueled,” Mr. Redmayne said.

“And getting to do it every night with that extraordinary group of people was dumbfounding.”

Cabaret also won best supporting acting awards for Elliot Levey and Liza Sadovy and best director for Rebecca Frecknall.

Originally produced on Broadway in 1966, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Cabaret follows the lives of characters linked to a seedy Berlin nightclub during the rise of the Nazis.

Oscar winner Redmayne played the Kit Kat Klub’s master of ceremonies and Buckley portrayed Sally Bowles, an English singer with more ambition than talent.

Ms. Frecknall said the musical was poignant “now with everything that is happening internationally.”

Life of Pi, based on Yann Martel’s book about a boy stranded on a life boat with a tiger, won five awards, including best new play, best actor for Hiran Abeysekera, and best supporting actor for the seven performers portraying the show’s puppet tiger.

“The fact that we’ve been nominated for a puppet character… is phenomenal and a landmark moment for puppetry,” actor Fred Davis. “Hopefully it opens the door for more puppets in central roles in theater in the future.”

Back To The Future – The Musical, based on the hit 1985 sci-fi film, won best new musical while play Constellations, about a relationship between a quantum physicist and a beekeeper, took best revival and best actress for Sheila Atim.

Liz Carr won best supporting actress for The Normal Heart, a new production of Larry Kramer’s play about the 1980s AIDS crisis in New York.

Like other industries, London’s West End was badly hit by the pandemic when its theaters were forced to close their doors in March 2020.

They began welcoming back audiences last spring, albeit not all and those that did, returned with smaller productions and at 50% capacity. Bigger productions resumed shows in the summer.

Established in 1976 and named after actor Laurence Olivier, the awards are Britain’s most prestigious theatrical honors. — Reuters

And the winner is…

LONDON —  The Olivier Awards for theater were handed out in London on Sunday, with musical Cabaret and play Life of Pi the productions scooping the most prizes. Below is a list of winners in the key categories.

Best New Play: Life of Pi

Best New Musical: Back to the Future – The Musical

Best Musical Revival: Cabaret

Best Revival: Constellations

Best Entertainment or Comedy Play: Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of)

Best Actress: Sheila Atim, Constellations

Best Actor: Hiran Abeysekera, Life of Pi

Best Actor in a Musical: Eddie Redmayne, Cabaret

Best Actress in a Musical: Jessie Buckley, Cabaret

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Seven actors who play The Tiger, Life of Pi

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Liz Carr, The Normal Heart

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Liza Sadovy, Cabaret

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Elliot Levey, Cabaret

Best Original Score or New Orchestrations: Orchestrator Simon Hale, Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical

Best Director: Rebecca Frecknall, Cabaret — Reuters

Gov’t makes full award of T-bills on strong demand amid tightening bets

BW FILE PHOTO

THE GOVERNMENT made a full award of the Treasury bills (T-bills) it offered on Monday as rates declined on strong demand for short-term securities amid expectations of monetary policy tightening and as oil prices eased.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised P19 billion from T-bills it auctioned off on Monday, higher than its P15 billion program as it accepted more non-competitive bids for the 91- and 182-day tenors.

Total tenders reached P71.25 billion, almost five times as much as the initial offer and higher than the P54.59 billion in bids seen at last week’s auction.

Broken down, the BTr raised P7 billion from the 91-day debt papers, higher than the planned P5 billion, as it accepted P4 billion in non-competitive bids versus the P2-billion program. Total tenders reached P32.734 billion and the average rate of the three-month debt dropped by 13 basis points (bps) to 1.25% from the 1.38% fetched at last week’s auction.

The government also raised P7 billion via the 182-day securities, higher than the P5-billion program, as it accepted P4 billion in non-competitive tenders or double the P2-billion plan. Bids for the tenor reached P27.5 billion and its average yield declined by 22.6 bps to 1.555% from the 1.781% fetched at the previous auction.

Lastly, the BTr made a full P5-billion award of the 364-day T-bills as tenders reached P11.02 billion. The average rate of the one-year papers went down by 2.6 bps to 1.857% from 1.883% a week earlier.

At the secondary market prior to the auction, the 91-, 182, and 364-day bills fetched rates of 1.3352%, 1.5165%, and 1.7904% respectively, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon in a Viber message to reporters said the BTr accepted more non-competitive bids for 91- and 182-day T-bills amid strong demand and as investors asked for rates “lower than previous auctions.”

“Markets flocked to short-term [debt] as oil prices ease with release of reserves from stockpile. Maturities also added support for reinvestment,” Ms. De Leon said.

Oil prices remained under pressure after world consumers announced plans to release crude from strategic stocks and as Chinese lockdowns continued, Reuters reported.

Early Monday, Brent was down $2.05 at $100.73, while US crude lost $2.10 to $96.16.

The International Energy Agency, which is made up of 31 member nations, will release 60 million barrels over the next six months, with the United States matching that amount as part of its 180-million-barrel release announced in March.

“Yields were lower than initially expected as driven by very strong demand for short dates. Investors are seen parking their excess liquidity at the short-end on expectations yields will rise further due to monetary policy normalization by central banks globally,” the first trader said.

A second trader in a Viber message said the auction result was expected as investors asked for lower yields.

“Interestingly, the bids for one-year bills are not that low compared to shorter ones,” the second trader said. “This indicates that market players are wary of rate path considering [a] one-year horizon or past 2022.”

Central banks around the world have been tightening their monetary policies to temper inflation despite lingering risks to economic growth.

The Fed hiked its policy rates for the first time since 2018 by 25 bps last month to combat its surging inflation that reached a 40-year high in February. It signaled more aggressive hikes in the coming meetings.

At home, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno last week said they are ready to take preemptive action if inflation expectations become at risk or disanchored. He said March consumer price index data suggest inflation will likely be elevated in the coming months.

Headline inflation in March was at 4%, matching the upper end of the central bank’s 2-4% target. It was quicker than the 3% in February, showing the impact of the surge in oil prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The BSP kept its benchmark rates untouched for the 11th straight meeting last month. Mr. Diokno earlier said the policy rate could reach up to 2.75% by next year from the current 2%, which is a record low.

The BTr wants to raise P200 billion from the domestic market in April, or P60 billion through T-bills and P140 billion via Treasury bonds.

The government borrows from local and external sources to help fund a budget deficit capped at 7.7% of gross domestic product this year. — T.J. Tomas with Reuters

Philippines will compete in two SEA Games this year

IN A SPAN of a year, the Philippines will participate in two Southeast Asian (SEA) Games — the first one in Hanoi, Vietnam set on May 12 to 23 and the other one in Phnom Penh, Cambodia slated for May 5 to 16.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino made the announcement after Cambodia gave its nod in staging the event that will feature 40 sports including centerpiece athletics and medal — rich aquatics in their SEA Games Federation meeting in Seam Reap over the weekend.

“Cambodia is ready to host and they promised an excellent edition of the Games,” said Mr. Tolentino, who was accompanied by several officials among them triathlon’s Tom Carrasco and volleyball chief and POC broadcast committee chair Ramon Suzara.

The Cambodia edition will see the return of arnis and dance sports, which delivered 14 and 10 gold medals, respectively, when the country hosted and topped the 2019 edition of the biennial event.

The two disciplines, however, were scratched out from the Hanoi calendar.

Badminton, basketball (5×5 and 3×3), boxing, billiards, cycling, canoe and rowing (including traditional boat race), chess (Ok Chatrong, ASEAN and Xiangxi), dance sports, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, Muay, petanque, sailing, sepak takraw, soft tennis, tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon (including aquathlon and duathlon), volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, wushu, body building, esports, floorball, jiu-jitsu, jetski, kickboxing, kun bokator, vovinam, and Korean martial arts were the other sports that got the host’s nod.

It marks the first time Cambodia is hosting the meet.

Of the 11 member nations, only Timor-Leste has yet to host the SEA Games. — Joey Villar

URC to power factories with renewable energy

UNIVERSAL Robina Corp. (URC) inked an agreement with power producers to supply renewable energy (RE) for at least 18 of its branded consumer foods group’s facilities located in Luzon, and two in Visayas.

In February, URC signed an agreement with several generation companies for power sourced from geothermal, solar and hydro energy.

The new RE capacity will provide electricity to the company’s factories based in Pasig, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Antipolo, Bulacan, and facilities located in Cebu and Negros Occidental.

Currently, the company’s agro-industrial group (AIG) and sugar and renewables group (SURE) have been utilizing biogas to generate energy sourced from manure, agricultural and food waste, and other organic materials.

Over 600 megawatts (MW) of power are produced using biogas under AIG’s poultry farm in Naic, Cavite, and pig farm in San Miguel, Bulacan since 2015.

In support of the Philippines’ pledge to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the company aims to balance the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) it emits with the amount it removes.

“These efforts are part of URC’s overall push towards reaching its ‘net zero’ goal by 2050, by sourcing its energy needs from power producers that use renewable sources,” said URC President and Chief Executive Officer Irwin C. Lee.

He added that URC aims to power its plants with 100% renewable energy within the decade.

“We’re working with energy providers, and within our own facilities, to achieve this as soon as possible,” he said.

On a daily basis, AIG farms collect and store animal waste in covered anaerobic tanks where microbes feed on organic matter to produce biogas, while solids are exhumed and utilized as fertilizers.

Meanwhile, all SURE sugar mills are already powered by bagasse, a fibrous material leftover extracted from sugarcane, while biogas makes up 40% of its solid fuel needs for its La Carlota Distillery. — Ram Christian S. Agustin

Montessori school to open in Townscapes Malvar

A TOP Montessori school is set to open within Pueblo de Oro Development Corp.’s mixed-use development in Malvar, Batangas.

In a statement, Pueblo de Oro said it tapped The Abba’s Orchard as its educational partner in the Pueblo de Oro Townscapes Malvar. 

The Abba’s Orchard signed a 50-year lease agreement with Pueblo de Oro, and plans to build a one-hectare learning center in Townscapes. It will initially offer its Casa and Level One Program for children between 3-6 and 6-9 years old.

The Malvar campus is scheduled to begin operations in August 2023.

The Abba’s Ochard plans to expand its Townscapes campus to include Level Two for 9-12 years old and the Erdkinder farm environment for the adolescents, 12-18 years old.

Pueblo de Oro Townscapes Malvar is an eco-friendly, mixed-use community designed by internationally acclaimed planners, Pomeroy Studio.

Entertainment News (04/12/22)

GMA launches ‘Love Together this Summer’ campaign

GMA Network’s latest summer campaign, called “Love Together this Summer,” features shows and specials over April and May. Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay star in Raya Sirena, about Raya’s journey of self-discovery both as a human and mermaid, which will air every Sunday beginning April 24.  Premiering on Afternoon Prime on April 25 is Raising Mamay, a drama on the reversal of roles between a mother and her child, starring Shayne Sava and Aiai Delas Alas. The romance-comedy series False Positive, starring Xian Lim and Glaiza de Castro, starts airing on May 2 on GMA Telebabad. Also kicking off on May 2 is the drama seires Apoy sa Langit, an unusual story of betrayal and family affairs. It is headlined by Maricel Laxa. GMA’s election coverage, Eleksyon 2022: The GMA News and Public Affairs’ Election Coverage, on May 9 and 10, will be  led by GMA News’ Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, Vicky Morales, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino, and Jessica Soho. Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera-Dantes make a TV comeback on May 14 in the weekly sitcom Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa. Kylie Padilla makes her TV comeback with the original series Bolera on May 30. She stars as a billiards prodigy who aims to prove herself worthy of the male-dominated sport.

GMA earns accolades from UPLB, DLSU

GMA NETWORK personalities and programs won several honors at the University of the Philippines Los Baños’ Gandingan Awards and De La Salle University’s Lasallian Scholarum Awards. GMA Network shone at the 2022 Lasallian Scholarum Awards, held virtually on March 9. Winning the Outstanding Video Feature on Youth and Education was Atom Araullo’s “Munting Bisig” for The Atom Araullo Specials. DLSU’s awarding body also gave a Special Commendation for Kara David’s “Pandemic Teachers” documentary for I-Witness. The Lasallian Scholarum Awards recognizes outstanding coverage of youth and education stories. Meanwhile, UP Community Broadcasters’ Society’s Gandingan Awards promotes the value of development communication and the contribution of both national and local or community-based media organizations to the betterment of the lives of Filipinos. Earning three Core Awards during the Gandingan Awards, held virtually on April 2, was GMA Public Affairs program I-Witness. Sandra Aguinaldo’s Di Paiiwan won as the Most Development-oriented Educational Program while Kara David’s Nueve, Trese, Katorse docu won the Most Development-oriented Youth Program. Howie Severino’s Mask Land completed the list, winning the Most Development-oriented Environmental Program. Kara David was hailed as the Best TV Program Host for Brigada, while the show’s “Millennial Vote” episode won the Most Development-oriented Magazine Program award. Raffy Tima was named as this year’s Best News Anchor for Balitanghali. The newscast was recognized for its “Bantay Kalikasan: Used Face Masks in Batangas Coral Reefs” episode as the Most Development-oriented Feature Story. Reporter’s Notebook took home the Most Development-oriented Investigative Story award for its “Lilibeth, Sonya, Frank at Fabel” episode. At the same time, The Atom Araullo Specials was awarded as the Most Development-oriented Documentary Program for its “Habol Hininga” documentary. Meanwhile, Drew Arellano was conferred a Special Citation for AHA! in Gandingan ng Edukasyon, and Susan Enriquez also earned a Special Citation for Pera Paraan in Gandingan ng Kabuhayan. The Gandingan Awards again recognized GMA Network’s regional arm GMA Regional TV (RTV), conferring it with the Most Development-oriented TV plug award for Nakikita Kita (Pagpupugay Plug of GMA RTV). GMA’s Entertainment Group earned various awards as well. Winning the Most Development-oriented Drama Program was the primetime series First Yaya, while weekend variety program All-Out Sundays won Most Development-oriented Musical Segment/Program for its “Tuloy pa rin: The COVID Special” episode. In the radio category, Super Radyo DZBB’s Arnold Clavio and Connie Sison won as Best AM Radio Program Hosts for their show One on One Walang Personalan while Mark Makalalad was recognized as Best Field Reporter. Barangay LS 97.1’s Barangay Love Stories host Papa Dudut earned the Best FM Radio Program Host while the “Bagong Bayani” episode of Barangay Love Stories was hailed as the Most Development-oriented Radio Drama.   

OPM band NOBITA releases new single, “Totoo”

WITH writing hugot anthems inspired by the universality of long-term commitment and romantic desire, the five-piece act continues to make pop-rock tunes with their new single, “Totoo”. Written by lead guitarist Sam Aquino, produced by Isagani Palabyab of Monostery Studio, with arrangement and additional lyrics from the band, “Totoo” articulates the uncertainty of being lost and helplessly in love. Its songwriting comes from a place of earnestness, capturing the messiness of being at the bitter end of a relationship. “Since may hit single kami about being certain for love, we decided to take turns by making a ‘counter song’ for a love song per se,” NOBITA said in a joint statement. “Our fans, Nobibis requested for us to make a song about ‘single’ and ‘unfortunate in love’ people. We decided to take the challenge to heart.” The release of “Totoo” comes with a music video that stars veteran actor Mon Confiado and popular content creator Eya Borja. “Totoo” is available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.

P-pop group KAIA releases debut song

THE ALL-GIRL group KAIA —  whose members are Sophia, Angela, Charice, Charlotte, and Alexa —  has released its debut single “BLAH BLAH,” about the members’ experiences in dealing with romantic love and infatuation. The song is accompanied by a music video, directed by Angelo Balanon, that provides a stark contrast between the dream world and reality. “BLAH BLAH” is available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music. The song is part of Sony Music Entertainment’s  Angat, P-Pop! initiative for April which aims to put a spotlight on Pinoy Pop hits by up-and-coming groups from the label’s roster and beyond.

Camila Cabello releases third album

THREE-TIME GRAMMY award nominated singer/songwriter Camila Cabello has released her third full-length album, Familia. To celebrate the record’s arrival, the music video for Ms. Cabello’s song, “PsychoFreak,” featuring Willow, made its global broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, and across MTV’s global network of channels, as well as on the Paramount Times Square billboards. Ms. Cabelo also released the single “Bam Bam” featuring Ed Sheeran. It has already amassed over 100 million total streams and 33.4 million YouTube views on the music video.  Arriving in tandem with the album, “Bam Bam” and “PsychoFreak” are custom playable songs in the new mobile music game Beatstar. Familia is available to stream on all digital music platforms.

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